Krystof Lecian, classical music composer

Krystof Lecian

Biography

Christopher Lecian (1974) studied at the Conservatory of Prague under Professor Frantisek Pišinger and at the Faculty of Music of the Academy of Performing Arts under Professor Miloš Sádlo. During his studies, he took several courses and seminars given by Yvan Chiffoleau (France), Christoph Meister (Switzerland) and Lynn Harrell.

He started his soloistic carreer in 1996. Since, he has performed more than 500 concerts in the major halls of Prague under such conductors as Charles Olivieri Munroe, Jaroslav Vodňanský, Tomáš Řehák, František Preisler and Ondřej Kukal. Some of these concerts were held under the patronage of UNICEF, the City of Prague, Josef Suk, the International Dvořák Society, the Czech National Radio, the former Czech President Václav Havel and others.

Lecian has already mastered an extensive range of the most demanding compositions for violoncello, including all the major cello concertos and many other virtuoso works. He is therefore now orientating himself towards exceptionally difficult transcriptions for violoncello of brilliant compositions for violin (Vivaldi's Four Seasons, Sarasate's Carmen Fantasy). Among other works in this category he has already worked on seven virtuoso compositions by Niccoló Paganini (God save the King, Duo merveille, Nel cor piu non mi sento, Carneval de Venezia, Concerto D – dur, La Campanella), including one that is generally regarded as technically the most demanding work composed for violin: 24 Caprices for Violin Solo. Lecian performed the whole of this cycle in (as far as we know) a world premiere in 1996.

In 2000, he founded the Dvořák Symphony Orchestra (together with Tomáš Řehák). He also appears as a soloist and an artistic director of the Bohemia Symphony Orchestra. His other projects include jazz recordings (with Martin Kumžák) as well as electronic music & multimedia performances (such as Xofferus).

As one of the leading Czech cellists, he was asked to cooperate with Czech composer Jan Valta. Together, they have made two recordings of Valta's works. The Sinfonia Concertante "Fulcanelli" has been recorded this year: Christopher has been accompanied by The Pilsen Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of composer himself.